'80s Mashup

Swapna Krishna is a freelance writer, editor, and book reviewer. She has been blogging about books at S. Krishna's Books since 2008. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband. Find her on Twitter at @skrishna and on her blog at www.s...

Read books that complement your favorite '80s movies

We all love our '80s movies. After all, they defined a generation and have become modern classics. The next time you're in the mood to be nostalgic, instead of popping in the DVD of your favorite '80s movie or catching a rerun on TV, how about reading a book instead? We've put together an '80s mashup for you, pairing popular movies with some great reads.

The Breakfast ClubThis Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

The Breakfast Club was iconic because it took five almost-strangers and forced them into a situation where they had to work together and tolerate one another's company. Sure, all they were facing was a Saturday detention, but the magic of the movie worked nonetheless. This Is Not a Test has a premise that's a bit more dire — teenagers barricading themselves in a school to survive a zombie attack — but the dynamics and politics among the characters, as well as the gripping storyline, will remind you of your favorite movie as you dive into the novel.

Back to the Future, Back to the Future Part II and Back to the Future Part IIITempest by Julie Cross

Marty McFly. Just the name should bring back memories of a flying skateboard, Calvin Kleins and an unarguably awesome soundtrack. Time travel is nothing new in storytelling, but Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd made it look awesome. The premise of the first movie is that Michael J. Fox travels back in time and meddles in history. But what would happen if no matter how badly you wanted to change the future, you couldn't? That's the situation facing nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer, who has the unique ability to jump through time, but the one rule is no matter how much he tries to disrupt the timeline, nothing changes in the future. However, when Jackson's girlfriend is murdered before his eyes, he has to discover a way to break the rules and change things.

Sixteen CandlesUntil There Was You by Kristan Higgins

The name Jack Ryan probably will make any woman of the '80s sigh. After all, not only was he dreamy, but the scene at the end of Sixteen Candles is absolutely priceless and is enough to make even the most coldhearted person swoon. But what would have happened if Molly Ringwald had never ended up with her dream guy? If, perhaps, he broke her heart, and then came back to town years later? That's the situation facing Posey Osterhagen in Until There Was You. When Posey was sixteen, her heart beat for the town bad boy, Liam Murphy. But it's been years, and she's completely over him. So when he comes back to town, it's not a big deal... right?

Indiana Jones and the Last CrusadeThe Columbus Affair by Steve Berry

If action and adventure, with a mix of history, are more your thing, then you're probably a huge fan of the Indiana Jones movies. Priceless artifacts and a fascination with history give these movies a bit of depth and make them different from the typical action flick. Similarly, Steve Berry's historical thriller novels incorporate the best parts of a thriller — action and suspense — with the lure of history. His latest novel, The Columbus Affair, tackles the legend of Christopher Columbus. Who was he, really? For Tom Sagan, the answer to that question might change his life.

St. Elmo's FireThe Poison Tree by Erin Kelly

St. Elmo's Fire was the movie for people who were learning to be adults in the '80s. College was over, and everyone was getting real jobs and discovering what it meant to be grown up. The Poison Tree is a similar coming-of-age story with a psychological twist. When Karen meets Biba and Rex in college, she is intrigued by their bohemian, free lifestyle. She moves into their house that's falling apart around them and embarks on an unforgettable summer. But when everything ends with a tragedy, Karen must grow up fast and learn where her priorities really lie.